Endless type-carrying tape for printing machine

ABSTRACT

An endless tape for an impact printer is provided with separate groups of flexible fingers which project laterally from and along one side edge of the tape. The fingers of each groups are formed integrally with a common base and the base is removably attached in face-to-face relation to the tape. The &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;grain&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; of the material of the tape extends longitudinally of the tape in order most effectively to resist tape breakage due to the flexing of the tape as it is travelled along its endless path, whereas the grain of the material of the groups of fingers extends longitudinally of the fingers likewise to maximize their lives incidental to the flexing of these fingers caused by the striking hammers.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,890,895 Deproux June 24, 1975 I5ENDLESS TYPE-CARRYING TAPE FOR 3,667,384 6/1972 Sniderman .1 101/111PRINTING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Jacques Roland Deproux, Sevres,

France [73] Assignee: Compagnie Honeywell Bull (Societe Anonyme), Paris,France [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No: 414,998

[52] U.S. Cl 101/111; 101/93.14

[51] Int. Cl. B411 1/20 [58] Field of Search ..101/111,93C

[56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,936,704 5/1960 Hcnse v.101/93 C $041,965 7/1962 Sasaki....... 101/111 3,209,682 10/1965 Cooperct a1. 101/111 X 3.416442 12/1968 Brown ct a1 101/93 C 3,638 565 2/1972Drcjza ct a1. 101/1 11 Primary ExairzinerEdgar S. Burr AssistantExdr'rzinerEdward M. Coven Attorney, Agerz'i or F irmFred Jacob 5 7]ABSTRACT An endless tape for an impact printer is provided with separategroups of flexible fingers which project laterally from and along oneside edge of the tape. The fingers of each groups are formed integrallywith a common base and the base is removably attached in faceto-facerelation to the tape. The grain of the material of the tape extendslongitudinally of the tape in order most efi'ectively to resist tapebreakage due to the flexing of the tape as it is travelled along itsendless path, whereas the grain of the material of the groups of fingersextends longitudinally of the fingers likewise to maximize their livesincidental to the flexing of these fingers caused by the strikinghammers.

9 .Claims, 29 Drawing Figures ENDLESS TYPE-CARRYING TAPE FOR PRINTINGMACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to atypecarrying tape for a printing machine. Printing machines are alreadyknown wherein the type is carried at the end of flexible fingers solidlymounted on a flexible tape forming an endless loop moving in such mannerthat said type is made to pass between a printing substrate and strikinghammers actuating said flexible fingers.

The known type-carrying'endless tapes of this kind consist of anelongated steel blade connected at its ends to form an endless loop. thefingers for carrying the type being cut out of one of the longitudinaledges of the blade. These fingers-are perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of said blade in the way of the teeth of a comb.

Such tapes are well known and it is common knowledge'that thetype-carrying fingers will wear under intensive use. Therefore, if oneof the fingers breaks in operation, all of the tape will become unusableand must be replaced by another, which is costly.

Because the type-carrying fingers are perpendicular to the steel bladeslongitudinal axis, i.e they are transverse to the direction in which thegrain of the metal is aligned for achieving the requisite strength ofthe loop, there is danger of breakage of fingers even if the blade ismade of a steel which in itself is very flexible.

The present invention remedies this drawback.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The endless type-carrying tape of theinvention for use in a printing machine is provided with flexiblefingers projecting laterally and perpendicular to the direction ofmotion of the tape, said fingers carrying the type at their free endsand the fingers being separate from but fixed to the tape. Preferably,several fingers are provided integral with a common base or bladeportion, the base portion being in face-to-face contact-with the tapeand detachably fixed thereto in order to allow replacement to repair thetape assembly as needed.

Because the tape and fingers are separate, the grain of the metal of thetape may be aligned longitudinally thereof so as to maximize the life ofthe tape and, as well. the grain of the metal of the fingers may bealigned longitudinally thereof (perpendicular to the axis of the tape)likewise to maximize their life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE .DRAWIN FIGURES FIGS. 1 and 2 show twoembodiments of typeearrying finger sets of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows part of the tape on whichthe sets of fingers of FIGS. I and2 may be fastened; 7

FIGS. 4 and 5 shows the sets of fingers of FIGS. 1 and 2 fastened on thetape of FIG. 3; i

FIGS. 6. and 7 are cross-sections along lines VIVI and VII-VII of FIGS.4 and 5; j

FIGS. 8 and 9 show variations in embodiments of sets of fingers of theinvention; 7

FIGS. I0 and 11 show tape fragments associated with the sets of fingersof FIGS. 8 and 9; FIGS. I2 and I3 shows sets of lingers of FIGS. 8 and 9fastenedto the tapes of FIGS. and II;

FIGS. l4 and I5 are cross-sections along lines xiv xiv and xV- -xVofFIGS. 12 and 13;

FIG. 16 shows another variation of an embodiment of sets of fingers ofthe invention; V

FIG. 17 shows a tape fragment on whichone may mount the set of fingersof FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 illustrates mounting the sets of fingers FIG. I6.on the tape ofFIG. 17; 7

FIG. 19 is a cross-section along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 18; I

FIG. 20 illustrates yet another variation in the sets of fingers of theinvention;

FIG. 21 shows a tape fragment for the set of fingers of FIG. 21;

FIG. 22 illustrates fastening the set of fingers of FIG. 20 on the tapeof FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross-section along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22; v

FIG. 24 shows a last variation ofa set of fingers ofthe invention;

FIGS. 25 and 26 show a tape fragment and an expanding bolt orlocking-bushing for the set of fingers of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 shows fastening the set of fingers of FIG. 24 on the tape ofFIG. 25; and

FIGS. 28 and 29 are cross-sections along lines XXVIIIXXVIII and XXIXXXIXof FIG. 27.-v

DETAILED'DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The sets of fingers l and 2 shownin FIGS. I and 2 each comprise four type-carrying fingers 3 parallel toeach other and joined by a common base or blade portion 4.

Two tongues, 5 and 6, are cut out of each base portion and are lined upwith the longitudinal axis of said sets of fingers, forming hookspointing opposite to each other and directed outwardly. Furthermore, twolongitudinal tongues 7 parallel with each other are cut out in thevicinity of each of hooks 5 and 6 of set 1, whereas two transversetongues 8 are cut out in the vieinityof each of hooks'S and 6 of set 2.

The tape fragment shown'in FIG. 3 comprises two cutouts l0 and 11 whichare aligned transversely of the tape, each being of generally U-shapedconfiguration ,with the legs thereof being directed toward the correthehooks 5 and 6 to pass through the respective openings 10 and 11whereupon the flexing force is released to allow the set to resume itsnormal, flat condition. thus firmly interlocking the hooks with theirtongues 14 and 16. The tongues 7 of one pair are spaced apart snugly toengage the opposite sides of the bridge 15 and are of widthscorresponding to the lengths of such opposite sides of the bridge 15.The tongues 7 of the other pair are spaced apart snugly to engage theopposite sides of the tonuge l6 and when the set is relaxed. or flat,they engage the inner edge of the tape defining the opening 11. Thus,the set of fingers I is longitudinally and transversely locked on tape9.

The assembling ofa set of fingers 2 on the tape 9 (see FIGS. 5 and 7) issimilar to the process just described for the set 1. However. in thisinstance, one pair of transverse tongues 8 are offset outwardly from theplane of base 4 to reside in the spaces on either side of the bridgewith th'eends of these tongues engaging against such opposite sides ofthe bridge 15, the widths of these tongues being such that they seat inthe openings with very little play within the spacing between the tongue14 and the bottom of cutout 10 defining the bridge 15. The tongues 8 ofthe other pair likewise reside in the spaces on either side of thetongue 16 and abut the sides of the tongue 16 while also resting againstthe bottom of cutout 11 defining said tongue 16.

The sets of fingers 20 and 21 respectively shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 alsocomprise four fingers 3 and a base 4. This base in each case is coveredwith a plastic coating 22 on the side thereof facing the tape. As shownin FIGS. 8 and 14, hooks 23 and 24 are formed integrally with thematerial 22 and project through suitable openings in the base 4. Thehooks 23 and 24 are dimensioned to pass snugly through the openings 29and 30 in the tape 27 (FIGS. 10, 12 and 14) when the set is flexed andwhen the set is relaxed, the hooks engage over and against portions ofthe tape which lie outwardly of the openings 29 and 30. The set 20 isthus longitudinally and transversely locked on the tape. In FIGS. 9, 11,1'3 and 15, a similar situation prevails except that in this case thetwo hooks 25 and 26 of the set 21 are both rectangular to fit throughtheopenings 31 and 32 of the tape 28.

The tape fragments 27 and 28 as illustrated respectively'in FIGS. 10 and11 are provided with the aper tures 29, 30 and 31, 32 which are alignedtransversely to said tapes. Apertures 29, 31 and 32 are rectangular, andtheir dimensions d parallel to the longitudinal axis of thecorresponding tape is barely larger than the width d of hooks 23, 25 and26 with which they are meant to interact. Similarly, aperture 30 iscircular and its diameter is just larger than that of hook 24 to beinserted.

In order to fasten sets 20 and 21 on the respective tape fragments 27and 28,they will be slightly flexed and their respective hooks 23, 24 or25, 26 will be inserted in said apertures 29, 30 or 31, 32; then thesets will be allowed to resume their initial plane shape. The hooks thenwill rest on the'edges of said opposite apertures. Thus sets 21 and 20will be longitudinally and transversely locked to tapes 28 and 27 by thecommon operation of their hooks with the edges of the correspondingapertures.

The set of fingers 30 shown in FIG. 16 comprises two opposite hooks 31and 32 pointing outward, while the corresponding tape fragment 33 issolidly fixed to or integrally formed with blocks 34 and 35 (blocks 34and 35 are shown separated from the tape in FIG. 17 for the sake ofclarity). The blocks 34 and 35 are provided with notches 36 fitted tothe shape and width of the hooks 31 and 32 so that when the set 30 isflexed, the hooks 31 and 32 may pass through the openings 37 and 38 inthe tape 33. Then when the set is relaxed, said hooks 31 and 32 engagebehind the blocks 34 and 35 so as to bear upon and seat within thenotches 36.

The blocks 34 and 35 corresponding to the various sets 30 may be solidlyfastened to each other and may form a continuous rim along the tape 33.

In FIGS. 20-23, the set 40 of fingers 3 is provided with hooks 41 and 42opposite each other in the base 4, whereas the corresponding portion ofthe tape 43 is provided with a notch 47 .on one edge and with an opening48 adjacent the opposite edge which are adapted respectively to receivestem portions of the blocks 44 and 45. The blocks 44 and 45 are providedwith notches 46 fitted to the shape and width of the hooks 41 and 42.The cutout 47 and aperture 48 fashioned in the tape 43 allow emplacingblocks 44 and 45 and. after flexing of the set of fingers 40, to hook uphooks 41 and 42 in such manner they will be kept in place by the notches46. The sets of blocks 44 and 45 may be made solid with respect to eachother and form a continuous rim along the tape 43.

The illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 24 through 28relates to a set 50 of fingers 3 having two holes 51 and 52 aligned withthe longitudinal axis of said set and equipped with collar rims 53 and54. The corresponding portion of the tape 55 is provided with holes 56and 57 transversely aligned to this tape and of such dimensions thatcollars 53 and 54 may penetrate them with slight play.

Expanding bolts or locking-bushings 58 of a known type are inserted intoholes 51 and 56, 52 and 57, and allow locking the set of fingers 50 totape 55.

As shown in FIG. 29, the elastic, expanding fingers 59 of said bolts maybe folded back under the action of a movable sphere 61 and toward ashoulder 60 of said fingers; said fingers will press set 50 and tape 55against said shoulder.

Preferably and in order not to multiply the fastening means used and tofacilitate changing broken fingers (they are small and would presentdifficulties in disassembling and replacing on an individual basis), itwill be to advantage that several fingers be arrayed in groups or setsand to fasten them by means common to them all, as is described abovefor the various embodiments illustrated. One may cut several fingers outof a steel plate or sheet in such manner that they will be kept in placeand fastened with respect to each other by means of the base that willfasten the fingers to the tape through the intermediary of the fasteningmeans. It will be observed that the fingers, being independent of thetape, may be cut out or blanked so as to be parallel to the grain of themetal from which they are formed. Thus, they will be less brittle thanthe fingers of the known tapes wherein the grain of the metal is alignedwith the longitudinal axis of the tape so that the grain in theintegrally formed fingers is transverse to their lengths.

According to this invention, when one of said fingers breaks, it will befeasible to replace only that group of fingers of which it is a partwithout throwing away the tape.

In order to avoid discarding too many still usable fingers when onefinger of a group breaks, a compromise is entered upon concerning therequirement not to proliferate the fastening means. Experimentsperformed to that end showed that the optimum number of fingers in agroup is nearly four.

Other considerations also limit the number of fingers in each group. Thevarious groups or sets must be sufficiently modest in size so as not toadversely affect tape flexibility. In conformity with the invention, theheel or base of each set of fingers is transversely applied to the tape,fastening means being provided in the vicinity of each edge of saidtape.

In order that the finger sets be sufficiently rigidly mounted on thetape to allow a high striking frequency (for instance one strike every400 microseconds). said fastening means may be hooks solidly assembled,or part of each set of fingers and operating in concert with cut-outsmachined in said tape. the emplacing of such a set on the tape requiringa temporary flexing of the latter. To that end, each set of fingers maybe rigidly fastened to, or be of one piece with two oppositely pointinghooks. These hooks may either be blanked from the material of said setof fingers, or else be fastened to it. ln the latter case, it will be toadvantage that these hooks be rigidly part ofa plastic layer, into whichthey will be molded, which covers the surface of said set opposite thetape, the hooks passing through apertures in said set location.

Obviously means are provided to prevent any kind of play parallel to thetape longitudinal axis between said tape and a set of fingers. This maybe achieved either by the interplay of brackets cut out in both thefinger sets and the tape, or by notches provided for said blocks andreceiving in adjusting manner said hooks, or again by the hooks fittingthemselves into the tape cutouts.

What is claimed is:

l. A type-carrying assembly for impact printers, comprising incombination:

an endless, flexible tape adapted to be supported by the type-carryingdrive of an impact printer; and

a series of type-bearing members secured to said tape along the lengththereof, each such member comprising an elongate strip of stiff,resilient material presenting a base portion disposed in face-to-facerelation with said tape to extend transversely thereof and a free endportion projecting laterally of the tape, said free end portionproviding a series of flexible and resilient type-bearing fingersjoining said base portion near that edge of the tape from which saidfree end portion projects and extending therefrom essentiallyperpendicular to the length of the tape, said fingers being separatedfrom each other, said tape being provided with transversely spacedopenings for each member, and the base portion of each member beingprovided with locking tab means consisting of a pair of oppositelydirected and outwardly offset tangs adapted to fit through said openingswhen the member is sprung into bowed shape and to lock with the tapewhen released from such bowed shape.

2. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said openingsare each of generally U-shape and each is disposed adjacent acorresponding edge of the tape with the bights of the U-shapes locatedinnermost from such edges whereby to present mutually opposed tongues,the tangs of each said member engaging over said tongues.

3. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein each memberalso includes a pair of outwardly projecting ears adjacent each tang andsnugly engaging opposite sides of a corresponding tongue of said tape.

4. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein each tongue isof T-shape with said ears of each pair thereof engaging opposite sidesof the stem of a corresponding T-shaped tongue.

5. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein both openingsof each pair are of rectangular configuration.

6. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein one opening ofeach pair is round and the other opening is rectangular.

7. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each member isprovided with an opening at the region of each tang, the base portion ofeach member being provided on one side thereof with a layer of syntheticresinous material, said tangs projecting through said openings in thebase portion and being integrally formed with said layer.

8. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein each member isprovided with an opening at the region of each tang, the base portion ofeach member being provided on one side thereof with a layer of syntheticresinous material, said tangs projecting through said openings in thebase portion and being integrally formed with said layer.

9. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein each member isprovided with an opening at the region of each tang, the base portion ofeach member being provided on one side thereof with a layer of syntheticresinous material, said tangs projecting through said openings in thebase portion and being integrally formed with said layer.

1. A type-carrying assembly for impact printers, comprising incombination: an endless, flexible tape adapted to be supported by thetypecarrying drive of an impact printer; and a series of type-bearingmembers secured to said tape along the length thereof, each such membercomprising an elongate strip of stiff, resilient material presenting abase portioN disposed in face-to-face relation with said tape to extendtransversely thereof and a free end portion projecting laterally of thetape, said free end portion providing a series of flexible and resilienttype-bearing fingers joining said base portion near that edge of thetape from which said free end portion projects and extending therefromessentially perpendicular to the length of the tape, said fingers beingseparated from each other, said tape being provided with transverselyspaced openings for each member, and the base portion of each memberbeing provided with locking tab means consisting of a pair of oppositelydirected and outwardly offset tangs adapted to fit through said openingswhen the member is sprung into bowed shape and to lock with the tapewhen released from such bowed shape.
 2. A type-bearing assembly asdefined in claim 1 wherein said openings are each of generally U-shapeand each is disposed adjacent a corresponding edge of the tape with thebights of the U-shapes located innermost from such edges whereby topresent mutually opposed tongues, the tangs of each said member engagingover said tongues.
 3. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 2wherein each member also includes a pair of outwardly projecting earsadjacent each tang and snugly engaging opposite sides of a correspondingtongue of said tape.
 4. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 3wherein each tongue is of T-shape with said ears of each pair thereofengaging opposite sides of the stem of a corresponding T-shaped tongue.5. A type-bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein both openingsof each pair are of rectangular configuration.
 6. A type-bearingassembly as defined in claim 1 wherein one opening of each pair is roundand the other opening is rectangular.
 7. A type-bearing assembly asdefined in claim 1 wherein each member is provided with an opening atthe region of each tang, the base portion of each member being providedon one side thereof with a layer of synthetic resinous material, saidtangs projecting through said openings in the base portion and beingintegrally formed with said layer.
 8. A type-bearing assembly as definedin claim 5 wherein each member is provided with an opening at the regionof each tang, the base portion of each member being provided on one sidethereof with a layer of synthetic resinous material, said tangsprojecting through said openings in the base portion and beingintegrally formed with said layer.
 9. A type-bearing assembly as definedin claim 6 wherein each member is provided with an opening at the regionof each tang, the base portion of each member being provided on one sidethereof with a layer of synthetic resinous material, said tangsprojecting through said openings in the base portion and beingintegrally formed with said layer.